Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-23
The STATE GRANGE.
fifteenth Annual Session---GOv. Luce
Resigns as Worthy Master.

era 10 time was devoted to the work OF
she committee on credentials, appointing
standing committees etc. In the evening
Worthy Master Gov. Luce delivered his
annual address. After few preliminary
remarks he reported the work done At the
national grange, explaining the proposed
amendments To the constitution, etc. The
work of the state lecturer and assistants
was commended and the workings OF the
Pomona grange praised as productive OF
much good To the order. In speaking OF
the contest system the governor said that
so FAR a. the grange Is concerned TINS hau
lbs origin IN Michigan, and he expressed
the opinion that no one thing has contrib
uted SO many new members and stlmu-
lated old ones as this.
one OF the chief things demanding con-
alteration at this time Is "A revision OF the
patent laws The most fragrant wrongs
are committed through the provisions
authorizing the collection OF royalties
from innocent purchasers or patented
articles. The innocent buyer should be
released from royalty Obligations because
when the manufacturer OF patented ar
ticle pays for an invention 1t Is done not
only for the purpose of manufacturing,
but for sale and use. The inventor hav-
ing once parted with his right IT should
convey full title.
Attention was called to the proposed
attempt TO repeal or amend the cleo
margarine law during the present session
oil congress that th3 protection now
afforded dairy interests would be wiped
cut. Efforts to Illustrate this attempt
were urged upon the grange. The master
thought our national revenue laws should
and must be revised so that less money will
be collected from the people. We must look
out that in tins revision the rights and
Interests or agriculture are not forgotten.
On the afternoon OF the l4th "A resolution
presented 10y &. &. McDermid of Calhoun
county, stating that the Grange approved
of the present local option law as the best
temperance legislation available, and
pledging the Delegates best efforts to Sc
cure practical prohibition OF the nquor
traffic In their localities, was adopted. A
resolution announcing that the Grange
favored the discussion of the science OF
government in the subordinate Granges
was also adopted. Senator Thomas Mars,
chairman of the executive committee, In
his annual report spoke OF the leading
issues of the political parties as bearing
on a protective tariff, and he advised the
members TO study both sides OF the ques-
uon that they might know which side was
for their best interest Jason Woodman,
state lecturer, read his report, In which he
eulogized the Michigan press. tie has de-
lvered sevrnty-twG lectures during the
pasty year. Petition relative to the use OF
intoxicating drinks the establishment OF u
national chudren's holiday, the Oleomar-
garine law, and resolutions relative TO the
tax of grange halls, TO the office OF school
superintendent, purchase OF plaster, dor
mant oranges, rates OF postage and protec-
ton or property from excessive taxation
were introduced. The report OF the secre-
tary and treasurer shows the receipts
from fees and dues during the past year TO
be 81, ogU. 81, and the expenditures 80, Bi. o.
leaving balance over expenditures or
$685. 90. The amount in the treasury at tho
first of the year was 80 ioJ. % and the re-
sources now s., 1lLl6 The fees and dues
in excess of last year we're Sl41.JO There
have been six new subordinate and two
county oranges established during the
year and number of dormant oranges
have been revived. There is xl,o72
in the defense fund for the purpose
of lighting illegal patent rights
When the Grange assembled on the 10th
inst, decided surprise was occasioned
by the resignation OF Gov. Luce as Worthy
Master of the order. The letter of res
ignatlon is as follows;
WORTHY PATRoNs-For the renewed
expressions OF confidence received
at the hands of the State Grange / am
profoundly grateful. For seven years l
have labored faithfully TO execute the COM
mission placed in my hands, have learned
TO prize highly the acquaintance formed
at the sessions of this body; have enjoyed
the hospitality of many OF you around
your own hearth stones but accumulated
duties developing upon me compel, In
justice TO tho grange as well as TO myself,
resignation OF inc OIlcc Oh MASTER Oh the
Michigan State Grange And now, for
feiting no iot or title OF faith in or hope
for the order, place back In the hands Of
the authority that issued II, the commits
sion held loAg. And hencetorth / only
ask to be allowed to work Us a private IN
the ranks.
Fraternally yours,
c. q. LUCE.
The Grange accepted the resignation,
aud extended a unanimous vote OF thanks
A IA retiring Masfar I'm the
ex-State Senator Thomas Mars Of Berrien
Springs, was elected as the Governors
successor, having 81 votes out OF the l42
cast on the first ballot. The other candi-
dates were Overseer John Holbrook and
j. n. Partridge. Worthy Master Mars
has been a member Of the executive com
mittee for seyeral years, and Is thoroughly
familiar with the needs OF the organiza-
ton.
The committee on legislation advised a
reduction of letter postage and the aboli.
ton OF postal cards, and asked congress
to admit sugar free of duty from all those
countries levylng no export duties on the
same. In the report of the committee ON
dormant oranges IL wGs recommended
that the state lecturer cooperate with the
local or county lecturers IN visiting dor
mant oranges and their members with a
view of reviving those oranges that the
county oranges meet IL possible with each
local grange in its jurisdiction each year;
that what Is known as the contest plan be
continued, and that so far as possible the
officers OF subordinate oranges keep them
selves posted on all market reports and
current topics of the day.
j, +. Partridge of Genesee, Ernest l..
Hart of Allegan, and Jud ge j. d. Ramsdell
have been elected members of the eXecu-
tive committee.
The annual session ended on the evening
of the 10th The report of the COMMITTEES
on legislation as adopted indorses the
present oleomargarlne law, the inter
state commercs law, the present mortgage
tax law, and fayors redust of passen-
ger rates from three to two cents per mile.
The committee on patent laws recommend
ed that the laws be so changed as TO pro-
tect the innocent purchasers OF patent
rights from the payment OF royalty. The
committee on transportation also submit
ted a report, urging the farmers To act adj
visedly in the transportation laws. The
committee on education recommended
that the compulsory education law be in
vestigated, and, IL found detective RENE
died, and that the law be enforced in the
patrons different localities; that the leg
islature should devise plans for the uni
formity OF textbooks and that the State
should either publish or make arrange
fnents for the purchasing OF such books;
AMI that committee OF i've prominent